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Within his newly released autobiography, titled Ithaki, the ex- leader Alexis Tsipras does not hold back while he examines that turbulent era of Greece's debt drama.

An Unconventional Choice

As per Tsipras's recollections, he selected the maverick academic Yanis Varoufakis to be his finance minister mainly because of the latter's global profile and Varoufakis's highly compelling abilities as a communicator.

“He was, truthfully, more of a personality and less of an economist,” wrote the 51-year-old.

Conflicting Priorities

Tsipras claims how Varoufakis possessed his own agenda that involved advancing his books and testing out his economic models on Greece instead of truly fighting for its financial survival.

Tsipras noted that the talks to stave off bankruptcy were “not only a method to secure a better deal for Greece. They were a test, a monumental chance to prove the truth of his theories.”

Critical Negotiations

Amid tense discussions, Greece found itself dangerously on the brink of leaving the single currency area.

At stake was not only the country's future but also those punishing cutbacks required in exchange for financial aid by international creditors.

Failed Options

Attempts to find financing elsewhere, such as an urgent appeal to the Kremlin to buy Greek government bonds, fell on stony ground.

Helping Greece was tantamount to throwing money in the trash-can, the Russian leader reportedly told Tsipras during their meeting.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

That summer, those harsh conditions were subjected to a public vote, an action that plunged Europe into further existential crisis.

Although the vote was won decisively by voters against austerity, the prime minister had little option to reject its outcome and negotiate a rescue deal from creditors that proved to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis relatively soon.

“He was the public image of negotiation, the man who attracted publicity, who graced the covers of publications globally … he gave the impression he relished his new role.”

After Varoufakis outlined a backup strategy that included establishing a secondary currency and issuing coupons to pensioners, Tsipras said he realised it was game over questioning Varoufakis: “Are you serious?”

Lasting Rebuke

In the memoir, Tsipras concludes that Varoufakis demonstrated himself to be “unsuitable for an agreement demanding intricate and delicate handling.”

He further wrote that Varoufakis's confrontational approach left him increasingly isolated among peers, endangered the country, while helped hardliners that were pushing for a Greek exit from the euro.

The account of events has been met with fury and stunned disbelief among certain groups, whereas Varoufakis has kept a conspicuous quiet on the matter.